What are Internal Controls What are High Risk Areas How to ...
Transcript of What are Internal Controls What are High Risk Areas How to ...
Today’s KeysWhat are Internal Controls What are High Risk AreasHow to Assemble a TeamHow to Document Where to Find Resources
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What are Internal Controls
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Polling QuestionWhat Comes to Mind When You Hear “Internal Controls”?
1. Safeguard Assets2. Compliance with Policies/Laws3. Reliable Financials4. Effective & Efficient Operations
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Objectives of Internal Control are Interrelated
FinancialReporting Compliance
OperationsSafeguard
Assets
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Principles of Internal Control
●Process●Achieved by people●Gives reasonable assurance●Benefits the organization●Tailored to the environment●Must be cost-effective
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Control Environment
●Management & Board set tone●Influences control effectiveness ●Provides discipline & structure●Includes technical competence ●Maintain ethical commitment
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High Risk Areas
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Polling QuestionWhat is your organization’s biggest risk?
1. We trust people too much2. Potential for collusion3. Weak segregation of duties4. Lack of safeguards
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Areas where fraud is most likely
● Cash & valuable items● Payroll fraud● Vendor fraud ● Banking transactions
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FRAUD TRIANGLE
RATIONALIZATION: Justification of Dishonest
Actions
PRESSURE:Motivation to Commit Fraud
OPPORTUNITY: Ability to Carry Out
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Red Flags of Potential Fraud
●Employee living beyond means●Unwilling to take vacation or
delegate●Financials prepared late●Unexplainable variances●Controlled relationships
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Assemble a Team
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Polling QuestionDo you have an active Audit or Finance Committee?
1. Yes2. No3. Planning to implement
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Audit/Finance Committee
●Oversee system of internal control
●Oversee annual auditMeet with auditor twice/year pre-audit & post audit with opportunity to meet without staff present
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Board of Directors
●Provide guidance & oversight with mission at top of mind
●Set the tone of the organization
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Board of Directors
●Ensure an engaged finance/audit committee is in place
●Knowledgeable about activitiesbe objective & inquisitive
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Board of Directors
●Governance Best Practices•Review Form 990•Conflict of Interest Policy•Whistleblower Policy•Document Retention &
Destruction Policy•Gift Acceptance Policy
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Management
●Set the tone of the organization
●Identify & address risks
●Hold employees accountable for their actions
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Document Policies & Procedures
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Polling QuestionDoes your organization have policies/procedures documented in writing?1. Yes2. No3. Somewhat4. We are going to start
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Accomplish Good Controls
●Design with everyone in mind ie: employees, board, etc.
• Segregate Duties●Train people about expectations●Use software where possible●Make process a bit inconvenient●Watch for signs
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Assess What Can Go Wrong
●Identify potential fraud risks•High Risks•Low Risks•Likelihood•Impact
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Resources
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Polling QuestionWhat area does your organization need the most help strengthening?
1. Cash Receipts2. Cash Disbursements3. Payroll4. Financial Close5. Information Technology
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●Future Learning Circles
●Resources in Packet•Today’s Slides•Internal Controls Checklist•Community Foundation
Internal Control Charts•Resource Listing
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Questions & Answers
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